McCoy, James L. Sr.
James L. McCoy, Sr., of La Loma Village in Litchfield Park, died February 13, 2012, at the age of 90. In 1939, Mr. McCoy graduated from Fruita Union High School in Colorado and served overseas in the U.S. Army Corps during World War II. On November 6, 1943 he married his wife, Anna Belle Wright, and they had seven children. Mr. McCoy earned a teaching degree from Mesa College in 1941, and his teaching career spanned decades. He began teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in Colorado and went on to work at every level of education, from principal to the first male kindergarten teacher in Arizona. His love of teaching continued after his retirement from Madison School District in Phoenix, and most recently he was an adjunct professor at Estrella Community College. Mr. McCoy also had a passion for writing and storytelling, and in the last years of his life wrote and published 10 children’s books.
Mr. McCoy began playing golf at the age of 44 and was completely captivated by the game. He was an avid golfer for the remainder of his life and won multiple medals for golf at the Senior Olympics. Mr. McCoy went on to sponsor an annual charity golf tournament in Goodyear, Arizona, that honored local community leaders, with the proceeds going to the Boys and Girls Club of Avondale, Arizona.
In addition to his love of golf, Mr. McCoy was socially conscious and
fascinated with politics and history. He was an active participant in many organizations including the Knights of Columbus and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Throughout his life, Mr. McCoy was very proud to be an American. He lived each day to the fullest and was a great friend to everyone he met. He often referred to himself as “Shanty Irish” and, as a true Irishman, had an endless supply of blarney.
Mr. McCoy is survived by daughters Analee Emery, Mary Helen Kelley, and Jean McCoy Colasanti, and sons James L. McCoy, Jr., John McCoy, and Jeff McCoy; son Joseph McCoy is deceased. He also has 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services for Mr. McCoy were held February 16th at his parish, St.loans for payday Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, and donations in his name can be made to the Avondale Boys and Girls Clubs of America, 301 East Western Avenue, Avondale, Arizona, 623-932-1154.
Mesa, Veronica
Veronica Soto Mesa, 58, of Tonopah passed away January 3, 2012 at home. She was born February 15, 1953. She was a teacher’s Aid for Gilroy Unified School District and attended St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Goodyear. She moved to Arizona in 2009.
She is survived by her husband Richard Joe Mesa, her daughters Venus Palacios (Christopher) and Veronica Kozlowski (Scott),her sisters Bertha, Rosa, Cecilia, Margie, and Angelina, her brothers Beto, Guillermo, Junior, Salvador, and Jesus, 11 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Visitation for Veronica is Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 5:00pm at Thompson’s Valley West Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ. The rosary begins at 6:00pm.
She was preceded in death by her son Richard Joe Mesa Jr.
Monell, Bradner Neil Sr.
Bradner Neil Monell Sr., 81, of Litchfield Park passed away in Sun City on January 8, 2012. He was born February 12, 1930 in Queens, NY to Harold and Ethel Monell. He grew up in New York, graduating from Fort Schyler Maritime College. He met Shirley Laura Smith in New York and 62 years ago they were married April 8, 1949. They started their family in New York, and then moved to New Jersey for a time before settling their young family in Arizona in the heat of June, 1968. Bradner made his career here at Western Electric, retiring after 37 years as a senior development mechanical engineer. He was a Mason, a member of Acacia Lodge #42, and also a Schreiner, participating as a camel jockey in their events. Mr. Monell was a very active member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Litchfield Park.
He is survived by his wife Shirley Monell, his daughter Susie Priddy, his sons James Bradner, John Neil, and Bradner Neil (Jr) Monell, 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren with one more on the way.
A memorial service is being held Monday January 16, 2012 at 4:00pm at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 400 S. Old Litchfiedl Rd., Litchfield Park, AZ.
Montalva, Pepe
Pepe Montalva, 29, of Glendale, AZ passed away January 6, 2012 at home. He was born August 2, 1982 in Houston, TX to Gumercindo and Beatriz Montalva. he moved to Arizona in 2011. He was a roofer. Pepe is survived by his parents Gumercindo and Beatriz, his sisters Lorena and Carmella Montalva, and his brothers Leo and Daniel Montalva. Services will be in Rocky Point, Mexico and burial will be at the municipal cemetery in Rocky Point.
Perez, Pete M. Sr.
Pete M. Perez age 75 of Phoenix, AZ died December 31, 2011 in Phoenix, AZ. Pete was a lifelong resident of Arizona. Pete was born in Avondale, AZ to Toribio and Isabel Perez on December 11, 1936. Pete worked for the City of Avondale, and for the Goodyear Aerospace Company. Pete worked for Hocter Lumber Yard in Avondale for 17 years before retiring. Pete was a volunteer firefighter when he was younger. Most recently Pete volunteered at his local food shelter.
Pete is survived by his wife Olivia C. Perez; two daughters, Susanna J. Meetze of Scottsdale, AZ, and Alicia S. Stockman of Johnsonburg, PA; two sons, Pete C. Perez Jr. of Avondale, AZ and Angel C. Perez of Johnsonburg, PA; one sister, Carmen Cruz; one brother, Ramon Mesa; 18 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Visitation is Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ from 6:00 to 8:00 pm with the rosary being recited at 7:00 pm. Mass will be held Wednesday January 11 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church 529 E. La Pasada Blvd., Goodyear, AZ at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 10045 W. Thomas Rd., Avondale AZ. You may leave the family condolences at www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com
Smith, Roger
Roger Smith, 56 of Avondale passed away January 12, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. Roger was born October 30, 1955 in Detroit, Michigan to Royce and Ethel Jackson. Roger was a jack of all trades and moved to Arizona when he joined the United States Air Force. Roger was a part of the Arizona Beagle Rescue Board of Directors, working as an Intake Coordinator, President of the Sun Valley Animal Shelter Thrift Store, and was currently the Operations Support Manager for Telecom.
Roger is survived by his wife, Kylie Smith;his daughter, Jessica; his son, Roger Jr.; and his sister, Lori.
A memorial service will take place on Wednesday, January 18 at 7:00pm at Thompson’s Valley West Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Arizona Beagle Rescue.
Strankman, Virginia
Virginia “Gigi” Strankman, of Glendale, Arizona lost her lengthy battle with ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease on Wednesday, February 1, 2012. Virginia was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in the fall of 2010, yet was determined to spend the remainder of her life in love and joy despite her debilitating disease. She was 56 years young.
Born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the youngest daughter of Joseph and Rosalia Wasuleski, Virginia was a loving wife, avid tennis player, and mother to her bulldogs Bella and Bobo.
Her charisma, talent, and “people skills” destined Virginia to work in Public Relations. Her early schooling at Notre Dame High School in Salinas, California and her degree in Communications from San Jose State University prepared her with the education necessary to pursue her passion. She served as the Arizona Department of Corrections Internal Communications Coordinator for 14 years where she made many friends and memorable accomplishments. As part of her work, Virginia saw first-hand how giving back could truly make a difference and enjoyed using her creative skills to help the efforts of organizations such as the State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC), the Arizona Law Enforcement Torch Run, and the 100 Club of Arizona.
Virginia lived each day with passion and full of love for every person whose life she touched. Those who knew her recognized that her smile, laughter, and enthusiasm for life were contagious.
She is survived by her husband, Stan; her beloved bulldog daughter Bella; her sister Maria; her brothers- and sisters-in-law; her nieces and nephews in California and Washington; and her life-long friends from her school, work, and beyond.
The joy, laughter, and love she brought to our lives will be missed, but her memory will remind us all to cherish every day as a gift.
The funeral service will be held at 10:00am on February 8, 2012 at St.Vasodilan online Francis Xavier in Phoenix, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in Virginia’s honor to the ALS Association.
Thompson, Doris Lillian
Doris Thompson passed on January 2, 2012 at the Palm Valley Rehab Care Center in Goodyear, which had been her home for the past 11½ years. A long time resident of New York, Doris was born on July 28, 1929 in Newburgh NY, the oldest child of Irving and Lillian Moshier. She excelled as a business major in high school. She loved bingo, music, dancing, singing, and going to the movies. She met her loving husband, Joseph Thompson, while working as an usherette at the downtown Broadway Theatre. They were married in May of 1948 and spent 28 happy years together until his sudden passing in 1976. Doris moved to Arizona in 1998 to live near her daughter and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Sun City, AZ. She brought a smile and love to all who have been blessed to know her.
Doris is survived by her daughter, Deborah, many nieces, nephews, friends, and her loving caregiver family at Palm Valley Care Center. Her parents, sister, Barbara Fanning, and brother, Donald Moshier are previously deceased.
Funeral services will be held at Thompson’s Funeral Chapel, 926 Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ on Thursday, January 5th, from 5 to 9 PM, with a memorial service at 7 PM by Pastor Fran Barnes.
Whitten, Ida Ruth
Ida Ruth Whitten, 72, of Goodyear, AZ died December 31, 2011 in Goodyear. She was born April 25, 1939 in Gadsden, AL to Clarence and Alice Bowden. She grew up in Gadsden. She moved to Arizona 8 years ago after retiring from 20 years in the civil service, supervising personnel security for the United States Government. She was a member of St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Goodyear.
Ruth is survived by her husband Melvin Whitten, her daughters Christine Eppard and Cathy Sanchez, her sons Glenn and Greg Shook, her step-son Dick Whitten, her sister Virginia, hr brothers Willard and Lee Emory, her grandchildren Evan and Daniel Sanchez, Brock Sumpter, and Glenn and Dustin Shook, and 4 great-great grandchildren.
Visitation for Ruth takes place Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 10:00am at Thompson’s Valley West Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ. The service, officiated by Pastor Thomas Schulz of St. Thomas Lutheran Church, begins at 11:00am at Thompson’s Funeral Chapel, and burial will follow at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, AZ.
